Chasing Hidden Wonders
Mc Way Falls, Big Sur, CA
Recent Hike: Overlook Trail to McWay Falls
📍 Location: Big Sur, CA
🥾 Distance: 0.40 miles
📈 Elevation Gain: 12 ft
📷 Gear Used: Sony a7iv
Favorite moment: Seeing the iconic, pristine beach and waterffall
Tucked along the rugged cliffs of California’s iconic Highway 1 lies a hidden gem that feels straight out of a dream. McWay Falls, an 80-foot waterfall that spills gracefully onto a pristine beach below, is one of those places that takes your breath away before you even realize what you’re looking at. During a recent coastal hike, I had the chance to witness this natural wonder—and I want to take you there with me.
Getting There: A Scenic Drive Worth Every Turn
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, where McWay Falls is located, sits on PCH south of Big Sur, CA. When I was there, you couldn’t drive much more south before having to turn around due to road construction. (You can’t get there from San Simeon either). However, the opportunity to drive through Monterey and Big Sur will not disappoint with its gorgeous views!
Once you’re there, simply park (be sure to pay the day use fee, or use an annual State Parks Pass). There isn’t a lot of parking, but if you get there early, there shouldn’t be a problem.
From the parking lot, there’s an easy half-mile round-trip trail that leads to the viewpoint. You’ll walk through a small tunnel and hear the sound of falling water before you actually see the falls.
A No-Touch Treasure: You can’t walk on the beach at McWay Falls because it’s off-limits to the public to protect the fragile ecosystem and preserve the natural beauty of the area. There is no safe or legal trail down to the beach. The cliffs are steep and unstable, and any attempt to climb down would be dangerous and considered trespassing. The only views of the falls are from the designated overlook trail above. McWay Falls is unique because it’s one of the few waterfalls in the world that flows directly onto the beach or into the ocean. To keep this rare and scenic spot pristine for future generations, access is restricted.
